National Signing Day 2018 is here! Today on Bulldawg Illustrated’s UGA recruiting daily, we look at eight major remaining 2018 targets for Georgia.
So the day has arrived. National Signing Day. Typically, today would be the day that those college football prospective student-athletes who had not enrolled early would be signing their National Letters of Intent (LOI), but this 2018 recruiting class was the first group to have an early signing period in the sport. Back on Dec. 20th through Dec. 22nd, recruits were allowed to sign their LOI early.
And a good fair number of prospects chose to do so. For the University of Georgia, the Bulldogs had 20 verbal commits sign their LOI and nine of those enrolled early and are already on campus. Today, there are just a handful of spots left for UGA to fill, and that exact number has been debated on fan message boards, social media, and in college football recruiting circles for the last 7 weeks. So how many can the Dogs sign?
The NCAA and SEC have a set maximum of 25 but programs can back count early enrollees to previous signing classes and they can also choose to “grey shirt” a prospect till the mid-year or January of 2019 in the case of this year’s class. Whether or not UGA can back count any of their nine early enrollees is uncertain. Of course, the maximum number of scholarship players any FBS program can carry on their roster is 85, but a prospect is not counted towards that 85 till they enroll.
I’ve been saying the most the Georgia coaching staff can take in 2018 is 25, but I have to admit, I don’t know if they can back count any ‘ships.’ If the Dogs do take 25, that means there are at least five places remaining. Let’s take a look at eight of UGA’s remaining targets that could potentially fill those five spots.
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TODAY’S FEATURED PROSPECTS
If position ranking is noted, unless otherwise stated, it is 247 Sports latest composite ranking of the player.
TOMMY BUSH
CLASS: 2018
POSITION: No. 37 WR
HT, WT: 6 foot 4.5, and 187 lbs
SCHOOL: Clemens High School
CITY, STATE: Schertz, TX
STATUS: Undeclared
UGA OFFER: Yes, offered on 02/12/2017.
# OFFERS: 46
NEWS & NOTES: Tommy Bush has over 46 scholarship offers including one from Georgia. He took an official visit to UGA back on Dec. 15th. So will Bush be Georgia’s second receiver in the 2018 class?
Hard to say at this point, but UGA is definitely in the conversation here. Bush has also taken official visits to Nebraska, on Oct. 6, and Michigan State, on Nov. 4, this past fall. Those two schools along with Baylor and Texas are definitely all in the mix. He also just came off an official to Ole Miss on Jan. 19th and Baylor on Feb. 3rd.
Bush will announce his decision and sign his LOI between 11:00 a.m.-12 Noon ET today.
2017 SENIOR HIGHLIGHTS – CLICK HERE
2016 JUNIOR HIGHLIGHTS – CLICK HERE
2015 SOPHOMORE HIGHLIGHTS – CLICK HERE
2014 FRESHMAN HIGHLIGHTS – CLICK HERE
TYSON CAMPBELL
CLASS: 2018
POSITION: DB – No. 2 CB
HT, WT: 6 foot 2.5, and 181 lbs
SCHOOL: American Heritage High School
CITY, STATE: Plantation, FL
STATUS: Undeclared
UGA OFFER: Yes, UGA offered on 10/31/2015.
# OFFERS: 22
NEWS & NOTES: Tyson Campbell is a phenomenal CB that has held an offer from the Bulldogs since October of 2015. Campbell will announce his decision today between 9:00-10:00 a.m. ET and sign his National Letter of Intent with the school of his choice. He is expected to make his decision based off of his top five which includes Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Miami, and Ohio State, but he also took an official visit to Tennessee on Jan. 26th.
MAXPREP ULTIMATE HIGHLIGHTS – CLICK HERE
2016 JUNIOR HIGHLIGHTS – CLICK HERE
2015 SOPHOMORE HIGHLIGHTS – CLICK HERE
JORDAN DAVIS
CLASS: 2018
POSITION: DL – No. 29 DT
HT, WT: 6 foot 6, and 320 lbs
SCHOOL: Mallard Creek High School
CITY, STATE: Charlotte, NC
STATUS: COMMITTED to UGA on 11/16/2017
UGA OFFER: Yes.
# OFFERS: 8
NEWS & NOTES: Jordan Davis is a big strong and talented defensive lineman out of the state of North Carolina who committed to UGA on Nov. 16, 2017. Davis took an official visit to Georgia back on Jan. 12th.
He’s raw, having only played football for a little over year, but he has a huge upside. Similar frame to current UGA sophomore D-lineman Julian Rochester.
Davis did not sign during the early signing period in December and plans on signing his LOI today (Feb. 7th).
FOOTBALL HIGHLIGHTS – CLICK HERE
FRESHMAN B-BALL HIGHLIGHTS – CLICK HERE
ANTOINE GREEN
CLASS: 2018
POSITION: No. 59 WR
HT, WT: 6 foot 2.5, and 195 lbs
SCHOOL: Rockledge High School
CITY, STATE: Rockledge, FL
STATUS: Undeclared
UGA OFFER: Yes, UGA offered on 03/05/2017.
# OFFERS: 31
NEWS & NOTES: A UGA offer back last spring on March 5th, Antoine Green had been committed to Florida State from July 4, 2017 till de-committing from the Seminoles on Dec. 3, 2017. He still is considering FSU and took an official visit to Tallahassee, FL on Dec. 15th. Green also took an official to UNC on Jan. 12th and to UGA on Jan. 19th.
So is A. Green an option for one of the remaining spots in Georgia’s 2018 recruiting class? If the Dogs are taking another WR in this 2018 class, it is most likely down to T. Bush or A. Green.
Green is set to announce his decision between 3:30-4:30 p.m. ET today.
2017 SENIOR HIGHLIGHTS – CLICK HERE
2016 JUNIOR HIGHLIGHTS – CLICK HERE
Antoine Green’s top 10 plays – CLICK HERE
OTIS REESE
CLASS: 2018
POSITION: LB – No. 5 OLB
HT, WT: 6 foot 4, and 206 lbs
SCHOOL: Lee County High School
CITY, STATE: Leesburg, GA
STATUS: Committed to Michigan
UGA OFFER: Yes, UGA offered on 12/07/2016
# OFFERS: 17
NEWS & NOTES: The talented Lee County football player is very much in the mold of current UGA linebacker Roquan Smith and former backers/safeties, Thomas Davis and Alec Ogletree. Otis Reese was offered back in December of 2016 by UGA. Reese has been committed to Michigan for over a year, since 06/18/2016, but he is a prospect that has been on flip watch for a number of months now.
If you are following the visits, he was at Georgia during the fall for the Bulldogs’ season opener vs. Appalachian State on Sept. 2nd and was back in Athens again for Georgia’s homecoming game versus Missouri on Oct. 14th. Reese also made a third trip back to The Classic City during the fall on Nov. 4th for UGA’s game versus South Carolina.
And Reese is coming off several official visits during the month of January. He visited Central Michigan on Jan. 12th, Michigan on Jan. 19th, and also took an official to Georgia on Jan. 26th.
Otis Reese is scheduled to announce his final decision and sign his LOI between 9:00-10:00 a.m. ET today.
2017 SENIOR HIGHLIGHTS – CLICK HERE
2016 JUNIOR HIGHLIGHTS – CLICK HERE
RICK SANDIDGE
CLASS: 2018
POSITION: DL – No. 14 DT
HT, WT: 6 foot 5, and 288 lbs
SCHOOL: Concord High School
CITY, STATE: Concord, NC
STATUS: Undeclared
UGA OFFER: Yes, UGA offered on 01/19/2017.
# OFFERS: 23
NEWS & NOTES: Rick Sandidge was offered last January by Georgia and included the Bulldogs in his top-11 schools this past May. UGA’s new D-line Coach Tray Scott recruited Sandidge when Scott was coaching that position group at UNC.
This has been a Bulldogs vs. Gamecocks battle for several months now. Sandidge visited UNC on Sept. 9th and South Carolina on Sept. 16th, and he visited Columbia, SC again on Oct. 28th during the fall. Sandidge took a visit to Athens on Nov. 4th for Georgia’s game versus the Gamecocks.
He has taken official visits to Georgia on Jan. 12th, North Carolina on Jan. 19th, and is just coming off a visit to South Carolina on Jan. 26th. Right now, this is still a very close race between UGA and USCe. It really could go either way on Feb. 7th.
Sandidge is scheduled to announce his decision between 1:30-2:30 p.m. ET today.
2016 JUNIOR HIGHLIGHTS – CLICK HERE
2015 SOPHOMORE HIGHLIGHTS – CLICK HERE
ISAAC TAYLOR-STUART
CLASS: 2018
POSITION: DB – No. 4 CB
HT, WT: 6 foot 1.5, and 193 lbs
SCHOOL: Helix High School
CITY, STATE: La Mesa, CA
STATUS: Undeclared.
UGA OFFER: Yes, UGA offered on 02/22/2017.
# OFFERS: 51
NEWS & NOTES: The Georgia coaching staff offered Isaac Taylor-Stuart back in February of last year after National Signing Day, and the Helix High School prospect is one of the most sought-after CBs in the 2018 class with over 51 scholarship offers. A big reason why is his 6 foot 2 and 193 lbs frame as well as his speed, having been clocked at 4.25 in the forty unofficially (he has ran a 4.43, officially, in Nike The Opening) as well as his athleticism and ability to cover.
Isaac put UGA in his top 6 schools he released back on Dec. 9th along with Alabama, Oklahoma, Southern Cal, Tennessee, and Texas A&M. Southern Cal is considered a slight favorite here, and the Trojans got one of Taylor-Stuart’s official visits on Jan. 12th. However, watch Alabama, A&M and Tennessee late here.
Taylor-Stuart is scheduled to announce his decision at 4:15 p.m. ET today.
2017 SENIOR HIGHLIGHTS – CLICK HERE
2016 JUNIOR HIGHLIGHTS – CLICK HERE
2015 SOPHOMORE HIGHLIGHTS – CLICK HERE
2014 FRESHMAN HIGHLIGHTS – CLICK HERE
QUAY WALKER
CLASS: 2018
POSITION: LB – No. 2 OLB
HT, WT: 6 foot 3.5, and 224 lbs
SCHOOL: Crisp County High School
CITY, STATE: Cordele, GA
STATUS: Committed to Alabama
UGA OFFER: Yes.
# OFFERS: 18
NEWS & NOTES: Quay Walker has been committed to Alabama since June of last summer, and he has been a solid verbal to the Crimson Tide since announcing his decision. However, with defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt leaving Bama to take over as head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers, Walker looks to have reopened up his recruitment, even though he still standing firm on his verbal to the Tide.
Like Lee County’s Otis Reese who is currently committed to Michigan, Walker has been on flip watch for a few months now; so, is this still the case. Does Georgia have a shot at taking Walker?
Yes. The Georgia coaching staff have stayed in communication with Walker, and he took an unofficial visit to UGA during the fall on Nov. 18th. But Auburn and South Carolina could also be likely candidates for Walker to flip his commitment to, and he has also taken unofficial visits to both programs this past fall. Walker could also follow Pruitt to Tennessee. And If you are following his officials, he was at Tennessee on Jan. 12th, Alabama on Jan. 19th, and Auburn on Jan. 26th. The Kirby copter was at Walker’s high school on Jan. 24th.
Walker is scheduled to announce his decision and sign his LOI between 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. ET today.
2017 SENIOR HIGHLIGHTS – CLICK HERE
2016 JUNIOR HIGHLIGHTS – CLICK HERE
TRAMEL WALTHOUR
CLASS: 2018
POSITION: DL – No. 48 DT
HT, WT: 6 foot 3.5, and 280 lbs
SCHOOL: Liberty County High School
CITY, STATE: Hinesville, GA
STATUS: COMMITTED TO UGA on 09/18/2017.
UGA OFFER: Yes, offered on 05/15/2017.
# OFFERS: 15
NEWS & NOTES: Tramel Walthour committed to Georgia back during the fall on Sept. 18th just after midnight with little fanfare. He had been a Bulldog lean even before UGA offered back last spring. Walthour took an official visit to UGA on Jan. 19th.
Walthour is expected to sign his his National Letter of Intent today between 10:00-11:00 a.m. ET, but he could also just decide to sign a financial aid agreement, then enroll this June.
2017 SENIOR HIGHLIGHTS – CLICK HERE
2016 JUNIOR HIGHLIGHTS – CLICK HERE
2015 SOPHOMORE HIGHLIGHTS – CLICK HERE
2014 FRESHMAN HIGHLIGHTS – CLICK HERE
CLICK HERE TO SEE GEORGIA’S 2018 FOOTBALL COMMITS
CLICK HERE TO SEE GEORGIA’S 2019 FOOTBALL COMMITS
NATIONAL SIGNING DAY SCHEDULE
UPDATED 02/07/2017 07:24 p.m. ET
TIME | NAME | POSITION | BB2’S PREDICTION (Actual Commitment)
N/A | Caleb Johnson | No. 29 WDE | Auburn (Auburn)
7:30 – 8:30 a.m. | Marquez Ezzard | No. 19 Athlete (CB, WR, RET) | Miami (Miami)
7:30 – 8:30 a.m. | Mario Goodrich | No. 4 Athlete (CB, WR, RET) | Clemson (Clemson)
7:45 – 8:45 a.m. on ESPNU | Patrick Surtain, Jr. | No. 1 CB | LSU (Alabama)
9 – 10:00 a.m. | Otis Reese | No. 4 OLB | UGA (UGA)
10 – 11:00 a.m. on ESPNU | Tyson Campbell | No. 2 CB | UGA (UGA)
10 – 11:00 a.m. | Jordan Davis | No. 29 DT | UGA (UGA)
10 – 11:00 a.m. | Tramel Walthour | No. 48 DT | UGA (UGA)
10 – 11:00 a.m. | Quay Walker | No. 2 OLB | UGA (UGA)
12 – 1:00 p.m. on ESPN2 | Tommy Bush | No. 37 WR | Baylor (UGA)
12 – 1:00 p.m. | Michael Thompson | No. 4 DT | Oklahoma (Oklahoma)
2 – 3:00 p.m. | Rick Sandidge | No. 14 DT | South Carolina (South Carolina)
2 – 3:00 p.m. | JJ Peterson | No. 3 OLB | Tennessee (Tennessee)
3:30 p.m. | Antoine Green | No. 59 WR | North Carolina (North Carolina)
4:15 – 5:15 p.m. | Isaac Taylor-Stuart | No. 4 CB | Southern Cal (Southern Cal)
Note: 2019 TE Ryland Goede is also expected to announce his commitment decision today at approximately 12 Noon on FaceBook. Goede is expected to commit to UGA. Updated: Goede committed to UGA just after 12 Noon today, CLICK HERE to read commitment article.